Embattled Linden Unified superintendent could be fired

LINDEN - Linden Unified School District Trustees will meet in a closed session at 9:30 tonight that could result in the dismissal of Superintendent Michael Gonzales.

Keith Reid

LINDEN - Linden Unified School District Trustees will meet in a closed session at 9:30 tonight that could result in the dismissal of Superintendent Michael Gonzales.

Linden Unified has been under some scrutiny in recent months as sexual harassment allegations have been made public through complaints by two district principals to the Department of Employment and Fair Housing.

Tonight's meeting, which is scheduled to take place immediately after Linden High's graduation ceremony, will be held at the district office, 18527 E. Main St.

The agenda calls for discussion in closed session on the item "Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release" but doesn't specifically name Gonzales or his position.

Gonzales was hired two years ago to be superintendent of the K-12 school district with an enrollment of 2,300. He replaced Ron Estes, who had held the post for 19 years. Gonzales came from Empire Unified, a K-8 district of nearly 3,000 students in southeast Modesto. He has been the subject of scorn by some parents since Waverly Elementary Principal Lisa Pettis took medical leave in April, citing stress from a hostile work environment.

Pettis has filed a complaint with the Department of Employment and Fair Housing that reports sexual harassment by Gonzales.

Labor law attorney Warren Osgood said an agreement struck between himself and the district to end Pettis' daily contact with Gonzales on personal and work-related matters was never enacted by the Board of Trustees.

Linden Elementary School Principal Sharon Womble also filed a claim with the Department of Employment and Fair Housing, saying her contract is being terminated out of retaliation.

Womble had reported sexual harassment against Gonzales on behalf of a Linden Elementary teacher in 2011, her complaint states. She was notified in February that she would lose her position at the end of the school year.

The Record made a California Public Records Act request to obtain every complaint that has been filed against Gonzales in Linden Unified.

The district's attorney, Gilbert Castro, issued a response Monday, 11 business days after The Record's request was filed, stating that documents were identified, but that the district has a legal requirement regarding personnel records to inform the subjected employee that the documents will be disclosed. Gonzales has 10 days to challenge the release of the requested documents, according to Castro.

Parents have called upon Trustees to provide answers at recent board meetings. Some have questioned Gonzales' credentials to be a high-ranking educator.